Incandesoents



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

0. A. MOSES.

A APPARATUS FOR GARBONIZING INOANDBSGBNTS.

No. 316,993. Patented May5,18 8 5.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

0. A. MOSES.

APPARATUS FOR GARBONIZING INGANDESUENTS.

NO.316,993. I Patented May 5, 1885'.

1/1 III/II W'TNESSES INVENTOR fl7 Dita ufLJVloses,

By ibis Aflm'neys N. PUEns. Plmln-Lifllngmphen wax-1 w". n. c. i

UNira mm ATENT 'FFMIEO OTTO A. MOSES, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR CARBONIZING INCANDESCENTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 316,993, dated May 5, 1885.

Application filed December 28,1853. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Orro A. Moses, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Methods of and Apparatus for Carbonizing Filaments for Incandescing Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to processes and means employed for reducing vegetable fiber or other suitable carbonaceous material to a charcoal, and simultaneously depositing thereupon a coating of carbon or hydrocarbon derived from an external source for the purpose of producing carbon or hydrocarbon filaments of small cross-section and of any required length, suited to the requirements of incandescent electric lighting.

The object of the invention is to more readily effect the removal of the extraneous and superfluous substances which exist in the crude material which is to be carbonized; to maintain the filament under a greater or lesstension during the process of carbonization, and to deposit thereon a coating of carbon or hydroearbon derived from a carbonaceous or hydrocarbonaceous gas, and at the same time regulating the supply of this carbon or hydrocarbon in such proportions as to secure the best results.

The invention consists in subjecting the material which is to be carbonized to the action of heat of a sufficient degree to carbonize the same, after it has been placed in a mold of sufficiently refractory material having approximately the form which it is desired to give to'the filament, and at the same time, if desirable, immersing the filament in a carbonaceous or hydrocarbonaceous gas which has been superheated while being conducted thereto. The superheated gas is in this case caused to pass through the entire length of the mold, and to deposit more or less of its carbon upon the filament contained therein. The form of the mold is preferably such that the filament will be held under greater or less tension during the process of carbonizing by reason of the friction which exists between the same and the inner surface of the mold.

In carrying out the invention the molds are constructed of any sufficiently refractory material fire-clay or graphite being usually preferabl e-in any suitable form for receiving the fiber or other material to be carbonized, and a convenient number of the same are placed in a heating-chamber or kiln. \Vhen the fila ments have been-inserted in the molds, the kiln is closed or sealed, and its temperature raised to a sufficient degree to expel all the volatile non-carbonaceous elements and the hydrocarbon compounds rich in hydrogen, of which the fiber is composed, leaving only the pure carbon and the hydrocarbon compounds rich in carbon. a reservoir or supply of carbonaceous gas, preferably hydrocarbon gas, extend to one extremity of each of the several molds. These tubes are so placed in the kiln that the gas supplied therethrough to the molds, and thus to the filaments, is compelled to traverse an intensely-heated portion of the kiln before reaching the molds themselves. By this means the gas becomes superheated before it is supplied to the filaments. The chemical union of theelements composing the gas is thus weakened or broken up, and hence the carbon and carbon compounds rich in carbon are readily deposited upon the filaments, which are cooler bodies. Not only is this result secured, but the gas also becomes sufficiently attenuated to prevent a too rapid deposition of the carbon or hydrocarbon, thus effectually precluding the deposition of incoherent amorphous compounds of carbona detrimental result which has been heretofore encountered. The shape of the molds is preferably such that the filaments as they gradually contract are held under more or less tension by reason of the friction occasioned by the pressure of the same against the inner. surfaces of the molds. The tendency of the curved filaments is to open or spread out during the carbonization into the form of involutes, and the resultant pressure may be relied upon for affording the frictional tension, or the molds may be peculiarly shaped for the purpose.

In the accompanying drawings,which illustrate the invention, Figure l is a transverse section of a kiln, showing a convenient organ- Suitable tubes leading from ization of apparatus for carrying out the process; and Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the molds, showing one or more of the same partly in section. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the filaments which has been formed by the process to be described, and Fig. 3 represents a modified form. Figs. 4., 5, and 6 illustrate certain modifications in the form of molds which may be employed, and Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate a modification in the method of arranging them.

Referring to these figures, A represents the exterior or outer wall of a suitable kiln, A, which is provided with a grate, A, or other suitable means for supporting the fuel used in the combustion-chamber of the kiln.

Within the kiln A is supported in any suitable manner a receiving-oven, B, in which any suitable number of molds, C, may be placed. The molds O are preferably constructed of fire-clay and shaped in the form of a spiral. Through each mold C are formed two parallel perforations, 0 0 which are designed to receive the material to be carbonized, and to form the basis of the filament. This material may be avegetable fiber or any other suitable material. Preferably, however, compressed or twisted cotton is employed. A thread of such material is inserted, as shown at E, in each mold O. This filament extends through both apertures c and across the space between the inner extremities of these apertures, as shown at d.

The lower extremity of each of the molds is supported by entering suitable apertures, f, in a bank, F, which extends throughout the length of the oven B. Theseapertures f extend downward through the lower portion or base of the oven, and into each opening thus formed is fitted a tube, G. The tubes G may unite with a main tube within the kiln; but preferably each tube extends outward through the wall Aindependently, and thence to any suitable source of gas which it is desired to employ.

Extending transversely through the top of the oven B are two or more temperature or thermometric tubes, h h. By causing a current of air to pass through one of these tubes the temperature of the oven at the various points may be at any time determined; or the same tubes may be made to contain a definite electrical resistance capable of being changed by heat and measured.

The method of employing the apparatus is as follows: Any desired number of threads or filaments having been inserted in the molds O, the oven B is closed and heated by means of a fire placed in the lower portion of the kiln. After the temperature has been raised to a sufficient degree to partially or completely carbonize the filaments a carbonaceous gas or vaporsuch, for instance, as hydrocarbon gas .or vaporis supplied to the lowerextremities of the respective molds through the tubes G. This gas or vapor, as it passes through the surface of the mold 0.

portions 9 of the tubes which lie in proximit to the fire, becomes superheated before it is forced, in contact with the filaments, through the apertures a into the interior space of the oven. The carbon is then readily deposited upon the cooler bodies of the filament. The gas is, moreover, considerably attenuated by reason of the heat to which it is subjected, and this prevents the carbon from being too rapidly supplied to the same.

It is evident that the hydrogen or other elements of the compound gas which are set free by the action of the heat and the deposition of the carbon would eventually fill the oven B; and for the purpose of withdrawing this gas as may be necessary, one or more escape or ed uction tubes, K, may lead from the interior of the oven These tubes preferably extend through the outer wall, and are provided with stop-cocks for regulating the rapidity with which the gas may escape or be drawn off. In practice, however, there will usually be sufficient opportunity for the resultant gases to escape through the joints of the oven into the kiln, and the tubes K are therefore not always essential.

\Vhen the filaments have become entirely carbonized and sufficiently coated with the carbon or hydrocarbon derived from the gas, they may be removed from the molds by simply taking hold of the part d and withdrawing them from the inner ends of the molds. The molds may be broken, if necessary or desirable, or they may be constructed in separable parts, in the manner frequently employed in the construction of molds.

The shape which the filaments will assume by reason of the form of the molds described is shown in Fig. 3. It is evident, however, that the shape of the molds may be variously modified as desired. It is evident, also, that one section only of the filament may be employed when desired. WVhen it is desired to make use-of such a form, it will be found IIO advisable to construct the molds with a single aperture or perforation, c, and to secure one end of the filament in any convenient manner, and to allow the contraction to take place in the same manner as described, the free end being gradually drawn within the mold. A filament constructedin this manner is illustrated in Fig. 3. The knot 0 indicates a knot tied in one end of the filament for the purpose of preventing that end from being drawn within the same.

In Figs. 4 and 5 I have illustrated a form of mold constructed in the form of a segment of a circle. The perforations c 0 (shown in Figs. 1 and 2) are replaced in this instance by grooves or apertures c a, formed in the outer A filament or thread of the character described is designed to be laid in these grooves, and it may be held in place by suitable platinum pins 8' 8. These pins are designed to beinserted at proper distances in apertures formed through the sides or walls of the groove. The filament during the process of carbonization will gradually contract; but it will be kept from falling from the grooves by the pins or containing wall or case, against which it will be forced by the tendency of the free ends of the filament to perform involute curves,which is very advantageous, as it causes the carbonization to proceed under an even frictional strain. At the outer end of the mold there is preferably formed a small lug, 15, around which the loop (1 of the filament is bent, forming a part corresponding to the section d, described in connection with Fig. 1.

It is not always necessary that the grooves cshould be straight or parallel with each other; they may undulate or be bent'back and forth in successive folds. Such a form of mold will afford greater frictional strain to the carbon than the other forms described, by reason of the folds through which the contraction takes place. A mold, 0 adapted to form such a filament is illustrated in Fig. 6. The grooves are shown at c 0 in this figure, and they are formed or cut in the surface of the mold in a manner similar to that described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. The winding or sinuous form of the grooves in this construction is such as to prevent the filament from falling out-during the process of carbonizing, and the platinum pins may therefore be dispensed with. During its contraction the filament will be drawn along within the grooves, all the while maintaining the form of the mold.

For the purpose of causing the gas or vapor supplied to the filament during the process of carbonizing to follow the grooves, and to thus pass in proximity to the filament, a curved cover or shield, 0 may be applied to each of the molds G and G It will be understood that in all these modifications the mold is to support the filament, and to give to it the shape which it is desired to impart to the completed article.

In Figs. 7 and 8 a modification in the method of arranging the molds within the kiln is shown. This consists in placing the molds (l horizontally one upon another and leading the gas or vapor supply pipe G to a point within the curved molds. A fine is thus afforded through which the gas or vapor ascends, at the same time penetrating and diffusing throughout the entire series. The filaments receive the deposit in essentially the same manner as before. If desired, suitable annular lugs, OZmay be formed upon the upper portion of each mold for the purpose of affording a seat for the succeeding mold. In these figures a slight modification in the method of shaping the molds is also illustrated. This consists in forming the .main portion thereof in a circular shape and bending the end designed to receive the free ends of the filament inward. The portion at of the filament is then upon the outside and the entire filament may veryreadily be withdrawn. During the process of carbonization the filament, which originally extends through the entire mold, will contract sufficiently to bring the free ends entirely out of the inwardly-bent portion of the mold.

I claim as my invention' 1. The combination,substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an oven, a series of molds constructed with openings through their entire length and placed in said oven, means, substantially such as described, for heating said oven, and one or more gas-supply pipes leading to the interior of said molds, whereby gas may be caused to pass through said openings in said molds.

2. The combination,substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an even, a series of filamentmolds arranged within said oven and having the openings for receiving the filaments extending through their entire lengths, means for heating said oven, gas-supply tubes leading to said molds, and means, substantially such as described, for heating the gas passing through said pipes.

3. The combination;substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with an oven, a series of molds arranged within the same and having filamentcontaining grooves or openings extending through their entire lengths, and means, substantially such as described, for supplying a superheated gas to said molds, of one or more escape or exhaust pipes extending into said oven through the walls of the same.

4. The combinatiomsubstantially as hereinbefore set forth, with an oven, a series of molds arranged within the same, and means, substantially such as described, for supplying a superheated gas to said molds, of one or more 'thermometric pipes extending through said oven.

5. A filament-carbonizing mold of refractory material having two parallel tubular openings curved in different planes for receiving the filaments, substantially as described.

6. Afilamentcarbonizing mold having two parallel tubular openings curved in different planes for receiving the filaments, substantially, as described.

7. A filament-carbonizihg mold consisting of a curved stem of refractory material hav ing two curved parallel openings extending through its entire length for receiving the filament, substantially as described.

8. A filament-carbonizing mold of refractory material having two curved tubular openings for 'receiving the filament, which open ings have a sinuous form, substantially as described. l

9. A cylindrical filament-carbonizing mold having two grooves formed in its outer surface for receiving the respective limbs of the filament.

10. A cylindrical filamentcarbonizing mold having grooves formed in its outer surface for receiving the limbs of the filament, in combination with means, substantially such as described my name this 21st day of December, scribed for covering said grooves. A. D. 1883.

11. cylindrical filament-carbonizin mold w of refractory material having two gi ooves OTTO MOSES 5 formed in its outer surface for receiving'the Vitnesses:

respective limbs of the filament. DANL. XV. EDGEOOMB, In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub- CHARLES A. TERRY. 

